Top 5 NFL Offseason Moves

Kirill Seregin | 2017-06-27 |

Read about some of the winners, losers, and potential surprises coming up in the new season.

The NFL offseason is in its final stage. All 32 NFL teams have concluded their deals and campaigns. In this article we take a look at some of the most notable formations as we head into the pre-season thrills.

1. Chicago “QBears”

The Bears’ 2017 offseason will be remembered mostly for the QB saga happening in the organization. Eight-year starter Jay Cutler retired after a weak and injury-marked season to leave a big question mark at the Bears’ QB spot.

The two main candidates to fill it are free agent coming from the Buccaneers Mike Glennon and the rookie QB Mitchell Trubisky – the second overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.

For now experts predict Glennon to become the starter in the first matches of the 2017 season, as Trubisky is practicing with the second-team offense.

Additionally, the Bears acquired tight ends Adam Shaheen and Dion Sims. Together with TE Zach Miller, they wl=ill form a very reliable presence for the position.

2. Cleveland Browns – The Biggest Surprise

The Browns are totally worth taking a closer look at after this offseason. With the first pick of the 2017 NFL Draft they took DE Myles Garrett and signed him on a $30 million rookie contract.

The Draft was more than successful for the team from Cleveland, as they also added two more first-rounders (S Jabrill Peppers, TE David Njoku) and a QB in the second round (the youngster DeShone Kizer).

During the free agency period the Browns strengthened their offensive line with guys like OG Kevin Zeitler, C JC Tretter, RT Matt McCants, and OT Terrence McGee.

This season is the year for Cleveland, as they have every tool they need to make the biggest surprise in recent NFL history. The Browns are capable, at least statistically, to not only reach the Playoff phase, but to go even further in the competition.

3. New England Patriots – On a Quest To Win Another Super Bowl

Brandin Cooks

The celebrations in Foxborough still echo through the city, as the Super Bowl champions prepare themselves for the new NFL year. During the offseason the Patriots got even stronger, closing an amazing deal.

They traded the last first-round Draft pick to acquire WR Brandin Cooks from the New Orleans Saints. Cooks is expected to provide Tom Brady with the much needed deep pass opportunities.

In order to protect their precious field general and wreck havoc on the enemy QB, the Patriots spent all four draft picks only on linemen – DE Derek Rivers, OT Tony Garcia, DE Deatrich Wise Jr., and OT Conor McDermott. As usual, Bill Belichick’s mark was seen during the Free Agency period. He and his scouts seem to have done a good job, as more than 30 players were acquired from the free market and after trades.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Eyes on the Playoffs

O.J. Howard

The Buccaneers drafted based on team value. Each pick they made filled a certain gap. Due to the early pickers outsmarting each other with trades for rookie quarterbacks, the Buccs managed to steal some great players by the time it was their turn.

They snatched TE O. J. Howard in the 19th pick of the first round. Another smart move for the team from Tampa Bay was signing ex-Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to back up Jameis Winston. The competition for the starter spot between the veteran and Winston would be very useful in terms of QB motivation.

The Buccaneers’ offense got more speed during the offseason with the addition of players like WR Chris Godwin, RB Jeremy McNichols, and WR DeSean Jackson. In terms of defense, the Buccaneers are getting tougher and more physical with nine new game-breaking monsters in the DE, DT, and LB positions.

5. Baltimore Ravens – Upgraded Secondary, O-Line Concerns

The 2016 season was not the best year for the Ravens, with a record of 8 wins and 8 loses. Probably a key factor to that was the ridiculous amount of injured players (almost half the team) before the start of the season. This time the Ravens are healthy! They are heading to the new NFL year with confidence and some new additions to the squad as well.

One of their best moves was acquiring WR Jeremy Maclin, who has the potential to become Joe Flacco’s top receiver. The Ravens also got RB Danny Woodhead, CB Brandon Carr, and S Tony Jefferson. The RB position has recently been the missing area for the Baltimore machine to steamroll. Danny Woodhead is young but experienced enough, as he has played for the Jets, the Patriots, and the Chargers.

The biggest concern for Ravens fans is the offensive line, as two of the most experienced linemen, Rick Wagner and Jeremy Zuttah, parted ways with the organization.

NFL Offseason – Honorable Mentions

The Buffalo Bills are among the other teams worth mentioning. They hired a new coach to replace the former Rex Ryan. The new hope for the Bills is the ex-defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers, Sean McDermott. The Panthers’ mark would be noticeable in the organization, as the Bills’ new General Manager, Brandon Beane, was also part of the North Carolina franchise not long ago.

On the other side of the map, the Arizona Cardinals signed a kicker – Phil Dawson, who may be the difference between them winning or losing a close game. Most of their losses during 2016 were due to absurd field goal misses.

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